Armidale Literary Institute: extensive additions made 1915 to the original building of 1879. New South Wales Australia
Armidale Literary institute - alterations and additions.
The alterations and additions which have just been completed at the Armidale Literary Institute have added considerably to its general appearance, increased its efficiency, and have generally brought it right up to date.
It is questionable whether there is now another institute of the kind in New South Wales that is more popular, or that has more facilities and comforts. This is not the result of good fortune, hut is rather a striking testimony to the general good management by the committee (among whom are many excellent and energetic workers) end Secretary (Mr T A Purkiss).
The additions at the Armidale institute consist of another large billiard room, in which will be housed one of the latest "Sydney" tables, with improved low cushions, costing £83 16s, an enlarged and improved card room, together with improvements to the library room and entrance. The work, which was carried out by Mr J Nutt, under the supervision of Mr J W Lee (architect), at, a cost £280, and has been completed in a very creditable manner. The billiard room is exceptionally large, and is well lighted with lantern lights in the main roof, and the ceiling painted white. This colour scheme has been carried right through the additions, and adds greatly to the bright appearance of the rooms. The painting of the other billiard room the same colour would be a considerable improvement, and would unquestionably add to the comfort and convenience of subscribers who are devotees of the popular indoor game, which is a source of no small income to the Institute. The extra billiard room and other rooms made available should tend to further popularise the Institute, and will certainly be keenly appreciated by the present subscribers, who number upwards of 500. An additional entrance has been made on the northern side of the building, opening from the new billiard room, which also increases the general facilities, as it is not now necessary to enter, or leave the billiard, card, and other rooms, through the main front entrance. A third entrance to the billiard rooms also been made from the reading room.
The general improvements include the library, which has had a parapet light fitted in the roof, and the interior generally renovated. The painting scheme here has also tended to a better lighting of a room that needs all the artificial aid it can possibly get. Nothing looks more gloomy than a badly lighted library or reading room.
The front elevation of the building has been very greatly improved by a semi-circular parapet, with cement facings, on which the words "Armidale Literary Institute 1915," are set out in bold relief. The date should really be "1879," for it was in that year that the building—or at any rate the first portion of it—was erected. The Institute now presents quite an imposing appearance and undoubtedly adds in no small measure to the architectural beauty of Falconer street.
The enterprise of the committee is deserving of the staunch support of the public of town and district, and popular as the Institute now is, there is every reason to assume that it will become more so as time goes on, and the generally improved conditions are better known and appreciated. As mentioned there are upwards of 500 permanent subscribers, who have a library to choose to choose from second to none in the State. Over 5000 books, comprising scientific, educational, reference, poetry, and fiction volumes, line the shelves. To show to what extent the library is availed of by the subscribers, it is worthy of mention here that during the 12 months ending June 30th of this year 12,877 books were used. No less than £382 worth of new books were purchased in that term at a cost of £61 18s 9d. The committee now spends £25 per quarter in the purchase of new books, exclusive of a good round sum in periodicals, magazines, and newspapers. The last named are to be found in the reading room on convenient tables and newspaper stands.
The whole of the privileges are available to the public at the nominal subscription of 3/- per quarter, or library rights at 1/- per month. Visitors may become members upon payment of the same sum per month. The library is in the capable hands of Miss Thorpe who devotes the whole of her time to the duties, and who is deserving of every credit for the admirable conduct of the library and reading room. The billiard rooms are under the care of an experienced marker and their appearances testify eloquently to the attention he devotes to them.
Ref: Armidale Chronicle (NSW) 18-9-1915
Armidale Literary Institute: extensive additions made 1915 to the original building of 1879. New South Wales Australia
Armidale Literary institute - alterations and additions.
The alterations and additions which have just been completed at the Armidale Literary Institute have added considerably to its general appearance, increased its efficiency, and have generally brought it right up to date.
It is questionable whether there is now another institute of the kind in New South Wales that is more popular, or that has more facilities and comforts. This is not the result of good fortune, hut is rather a striking testimony to the general good management by the committee (among whom are many excellent and energetic workers) end Secretary (Mr T A Purkiss).
The additions at the Armidale institute consist of another large billiard room, in which will be housed one of the latest "Sydney" tables, with improved low cushions, costing £83 16s, an enlarged and improved card room, together with improvements to the library room and entrance. The work, which was carried out by Mr J Nutt, under the supervision of Mr J W Lee (architect), at, a cost £280, and has been completed in a very creditable manner. The billiard room is exceptionally large, and is well lighted with lantern lights in the main roof, and the ceiling painted white. This colour scheme has been carried right through the additions, and adds greatly to the bright appearance of the rooms. The painting of the other billiard room the same colour would be a considerable improvement, and would unquestionably add to the comfort and convenience of subscribers who are devotees of the popular indoor game, which is a source of no small income to the Institute. The extra billiard room and other rooms made available should tend to further popularise the Institute, and will certainly be keenly appreciated by the present subscribers, who number upwards of 500. An additional entrance has been made on the northern side of the building, opening from the new billiard room, which also increases the general facilities, as it is not now necessary to enter, or leave the billiard, card, and other rooms, through the main front entrance. A third entrance to the billiard rooms also been made from the reading room.
The general improvements include the library, which has had a parapet light fitted in the roof, and the interior generally renovated. The painting scheme here has also tended to a better lighting of a room that needs all the artificial aid it can possibly get. Nothing looks more gloomy than a badly lighted library or reading room.
The front elevation of the building has been very greatly improved by a semi-circular parapet, with cement facings, on which the words "Armidale Literary Institute 1915," are set out in bold relief. The date should really be "1879," for it was in that year that the building—or at any rate the first portion of it—was erected. The Institute now presents quite an imposing appearance and undoubtedly adds in no small measure to the architectural beauty of Falconer street.
The enterprise of the committee is deserving of the staunch support of the public of town and district, and popular as the Institute now is, there is every reason to assume that it will become more so as time goes on, and the generally improved conditions are better known and appreciated. As mentioned there are upwards of 500 permanent subscribers, who have a library to choose to choose from second to none in the State. Over 5000 books, comprising scientific, educational, reference, poetry, and fiction volumes, line the shelves. To show to what extent the library is availed of by the subscribers, it is worthy of mention here that during the 12 months ending June 30th of this year 12,877 books were used. No less than £382 worth of new books were purchased in that term at a cost of £61 18s 9d. The committee now spends £25 per quarter in the purchase of new books, exclusive of a good round sum in periodicals, magazines, and newspapers. The last named are to be found in the reading room on convenient tables and newspaper stands.
The whole of the privileges are available to the public at the nominal subscription of 3/- per quarter, or library rights at 1/- per month. Visitors may become members upon payment of the same sum per month. The library is in the capable hands of Miss Thorpe who devotes the whole of her time to the duties, and who is deserving of every credit for the admirable conduct of the library and reading room. The billiard rooms are under the care of an experienced marker and their appearances testify eloquently to the attention he devotes to them.
Ref: Armidale Chronicle (NSW) 18-9-1915